Bharat Bandh: 10 Trade Unions, 25 Crore Workers Taking Part In Strike Today | What's Open, What's Closed

A massive nationwide strike unfolded on Wednesday which has been called by a joint platform of 10 central trade unions, with support from farmer organisations and rural worker groups to protest against the new labour codes and privatisation. The protesters are also pressing demands such as minimum wage of 26,000 rupees and old pension scheme, according to union leaders.

According to PTI, over 25 crore workers from key government sectors are taking part in the protest against what they call the Centre’s "anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate" policies.

Essential public services, including banking, postal operations, transport, and power supply are expected to face major disruptions due to the strike.

“The Bharat Bandh will be disrupting services across the country. Banking, postal, coal mining, factories, state transport services will be affected due to the strike,” Harbhajan Singh Sidhu of the Hind Mazdoor Sabha was quoted as saying by PTI.

What Is The Protest All About?

The protest against the new labour codes is taking place as the trade unions argue that the four codes undermine workers' rights by making it more difficult to strike, increasing working hours, and shielding employers from penalties when they violate labour laws.

Additionally, the protest also shows resistance against privatisation of public sector units, the outsourcing of jobs, and the use of contract workers, which they claim threaten job security and fair wages.

The protest is also taking place against contractualisation, and privatisation of PSUs, increasing minimum wages to 26,000 rupees per month.

The protesters are also supporting the demands of farmer organisations for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops based on Swaminathan Commission's formula of C2 plus 50 per cent and loan waiver.

This is the 22nd General Strike since the advent of neo-liberal policies in India in 1991. Initially, the general strike was called for May 20 but was rescheduled following the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor. 

Who All Are Participating?

The ten Central Trade Unions who called the strike include All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), United Trade Union Congress (UTUC), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), and United Trade Union Congress (UTUC).

Sectoral organisations such as the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and NREGA Sangharsh Morcha have extended their support to the nationwide strike.

RSS-aligned Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), however, will not participate in the general strike, calling it a politically-motivated protest.

Services Likely To Be Affected

• Banking and insurance services

• Postal operations

• Coal mining and industrial production

• State-run public transport

• Government offices and public sector units

• Farmer-led rallies in rural areas

Services Likely To Stay Uninterrupted

• Schools and colleges

• Private offices

• Train services (though delays are possible)

Electricity supply may also be impacted. Over 27 lakh power sector workers are expected to join the strike, according to a PTI report.

Railways have not issued any official strike notice. However, possible disruptions or delays in train services may occur due to protests or logistical impacts.